WAGR J class

The WAGR J class was a three-member class of 4-6-0 steam locomotives operated by the Western Australian Government Railways (WAGR) between 1892 and 1924 before seeing further use with the State Saw Mills until the early 1930s.

Not to be confused with WAGR J class (diesel).

WAGR J class
J class at Wuraming ca. 1920s
Type and origin Power type Steam Builder Kitson & Co Build date 1891 Total produced 3
Specifications Configuration: ​  • Whyte 4-6-0 Gauge 3 ft 6 in (1,067 mm) Fuel type Coal Fuel capacity 2 long tons 0 cwt (4,500 lb or 2 t) Water cap 5,390 imp gal (24,500 L; 6,470 US gal) Firebox:  • Firegrate area 14 sq ft (1.3 m^2) Boiler pressure 140 psi (965 kPa)
Performance figures Tractive effort 13,045 lbf (58.03 kN) Factor of adh. 4
Career Operators Western Australian Government Railways Numbers J28-J30 First run January 1892 Retired 1924 Disposition all scrapped

History

The J class engines were built in 1891 by Kitson & Co, Leeds, for the Fremantle to Beverley mail service. They arrived in Western Australia in late 1891 and entered service with the WAGR early the following year.[1] However their fireboxes proved too small and in 1907 they were fitted with Q class boilers.

All three engines were withdrawn in January 1924. They were transferred to the State Saw Mills to haul timber trains and after repairs at the Midland Railway Workshops, J28 arrived at Wuraming in November 1924, J29 at Manjimup in May 1925 and J30 at Holyoake. All were out of use by the early 1930s, and later scrapped.[2][3]

Namesake

The J class designation was reused in the 1960s when the J class diesel locomotives entered service.

See also

• Rail transport in Western Australia
• List of Western Australian locomotive classes

References

Notes

1. Gunzburg 1984, pp. 42–43.
2. Gunzburg 1984, p. 43.
3. Gunzburg, Adrian; Austin, Jeff (2008). Rails Through the Bush. Perth: Rail Heritage WA. p. 115. ISBN 978 0 9803922 2 7.

Cited works

• Gunzburg, Adrian (1984). A History of WAGR Steam Locomotives. Perth: Australian Railway Historical Society (Western Australian Division). ISBN 0959969039.

External links

Media related to WAGR J class at Wikimedia Commons